How to Pray for Each Other

Transcription

1 [Evelyn Christenson s A Study Guide for Evangelism Praying, edited November 2003.] SECTION 5 ******************** How to Pray for Each Other Goal: To undergird each other in prayer as we pray for and help others accept Jesus. I Why do we, as Christians, need to support each other in prayer as we are reaching people for Jesus? 1. Since evangelism is rescuing souls from Satan s kingdom (see Colossians 1:13 NIV), Satan will try to keep us from praying and winning people by hassling us personally. 2. The people still captive in Satan s kingdom were condemned, with all mankind, at the fall in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:18; John 3:18), and he will not relinquish them without a battle. 3. We can expect Satan to sift, tempt and hassle us to keep us powerless, preoccupied and apathetic in the battle for souls (see Luke 22:31,32). 4. We need spiritual tools to win this supernatural struggle (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). 5. In the Lord s model prayer, Jesus taught us to pray for the Father to deliver us from the evil one (see Matthew 6:13). 6. God s Word commands prayer as part of the Ephesians 6 armor Christians need in our spiritual battle with Satan. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints [Christians] (Ephesians 6:18). 44

2 7. It is our prayer to God not human undergirding that brings powerful protection and results (James 5:16b). II What should we pray for each other? 1. For protection (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3). 2. For angels to protect us (Psalm 91:11,12). 3. That we Christians would have a good reputation with those outside the church (1 Timothy 3:7). 4. That we won t be fearful or timid in obeying Christ s calling to win those without Jesus (2 Timothy 1:7). 5. That we will not be thwarted by Satan in this ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:18). 6. To resist the devil and all his temptations (James 4:7b). 7. That we will be bold in sharing the gospel (Ephesians 6:19,20). 8. To stay alert (1 Peter 5:8,9; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Matthew 26:41). 9. To overcome Satan s accusations (Revelation 12:10,11). 10. To be alert and resist when Satan comes as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8,9). 11. To be kept from falling into temptation (Hebrews 2:18). 12. To use the authority of the name and the blood of Jesus (see Section 4). (See also John 14:13 and Revelation 12:11). III What methods should we use to pray for each other? 1. With your TRIPLET: a. Pray for your other two Triplet members daily. b. Admit and communicate your own needs by telephone to be prayed for by your other two Triplet members. c. However, don t let your praying for the unsaved get lost in your praying for each other. 2. Pray in existing prayer groups or form new ones you feel are needed to adequately cover all of you in prayer. 3. Join or organize a telephone and/or prayer chain in your church, organization or community. (See Rules for Prayer Chain Members, pages ) a. Pray faithfully for all of those who request prayer in their praying for and reaching people for Jesus. b. Call in your specific needs to the telephone prayer chain so others can pray for you. 45

3 4. Form a 24-hour prayer clock when there will be a specific thrust to pray for and/or bring people to Jesus. a. Draw a large circle divided into time periods (of the whole 24 hours). b. Each pray-er signs up for as much time daily as he or she will promise to pray, producing unbroken praying. c. Each pray-er prays that same time every day until the prayer-clock project is finished. IV How does Ephesians 6:18 say we should pray for each other? With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18). Study Ephesians 6:18 prayerfully and carefully for these instructions: 1. Make sure it is actual praying, not just talking about the request or counseling those who need prayer. 2. Pray at all times, including formal prayer groups, prayer chains and also in your private praying. (See also 1 Thessalonians 5:17.) 3. Pray in the Spirit, with the Holy Spirit interceding from within us for God s will, not our own. (See also Romans 8:26,27.) 4. Stay alert. (See also Matthew 26:40,41; 1 Peter 5:8.) 5. With all perseverance means disciplined sticking to it, not just spasmodic, occasional praying (see also Luke 18:1). 6. Praying petitions means praying specific requests for their specific needs. 46

4 For You to Do 1. Using your Bible, prayerfully and carefully go through each scripture on page 45, identifying the source and the solution to Satan s hassles. 2. Decide with your other two Triplet members when and how you will pray for each other (but not at your Triplet praying time) such as getting together or by telephone. 3. Organize or join a Telephone Prayer Chain in your church or organization so you will be praying for others and they for you. 4. Participate in 24-hour Prayer Clocks for special prayer and evangelistic events. 5. Review your weapons and authority of the Name and Blood of Jesus (see pages 37-38). 6. Start praying in your support groups immediately recognizing the battle is against Satan and that it already has been won by Jesus on the cross (see 1 John 3:8b and John 19:30). For You to Pray 1. Father, I am sincerely admitting my needs to You and to those who have promised to pray for me in this spiritual battle of rescuing people from Satan s kingdom. (Be specific.) 2. Dear Lord, now I am praying for the needs my supporters have shared with me. (Be specific.) 3. I promise You, not them, dear Father, that I will faithfully pray for these to whom I have committed myself as prayer support. 47

5 Rules for Telephone Prayer Chain Members 1. Incoming Prayer Requests. a. Prayer requests may come from any source (chain members, those in need of prayer, pastor, church boards, teachers, etc). b. Prayer requests should be communicated to: (Fill in your Chairperson s and assistant s name and phone number.) or fax may be used. 1) Set a time for activation of the prayer chain each day so people will know when the requests are sent out. 2) Urgent requests may be communicated anytime. c. Include only the amount of information you want communicated. 2. Directions for prayer chain members when receiving the request for prayer. a. Write down the prayer request exactly as dictated to you, if you are receiving it verbally. (Use a notebook to note the request and date requested, and answer and date answered.) b. Immediately communicate to the next person on your prayer chain list only what is dictated to you. 1) If you have a telephone prayer chain and no one answers, keep calling down the list until someone answers, thus keeping the chain going. (You may back up later to inform those not answering, but this is not required. If a message was left, the one missing the call should call to receive it. Use mature Christian judgment on this.) c. Pray immediately concerning requests after making your call. 1) Don t leave your phone, computer or fax until you have prayed so that you do not become involved in other things and put off praying until it is too late or you forget altogether. 2) Pray for God s will. (Don t pray answers; pray requests to God.) 3) Pray fervently. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [person] availeth much (James 5:16b KJV). You can be the instrument that moves the hand of God. 3. Use Christian discretion to keep requests confidential. 4. Inform the prayer chairperson when answers are received. These, too, will be passed along to encourage other prayer chain members. Signed If at any time you find these rules impossible to follow, please call the chairperson and have your name removed from the prayer chain. 48

6 Organizational Instructions for Telephone Prayer Chains (Adapt for or your culture) Note: Not to be included in rules for prayer chain members 1. Each prayer chain should consist of approximately ten members. The object of prayer chains is to get as many people as possible praying immediately. Divide into as many chains as workable. 2. Assemble a list of your participants and the method of access: telephone number, address, fax numbers, or whatever information is necessary to allow the prayer chain to function smoothly. 3. Provide members with notebooks to keep track of prayer requests with date and answer with date. 4. Have organizational meeting where each member: 1) signs the rules and, 2) prays a short prayer of commitment to God, promising Him to pray immediately when a request is received. 5. Meet regularly every month or two with all members of the prayer chains to pray together, thus keeping interest alive and the purpose of the chain clear. Questions can be answered and problems worked out at these meetings. Special Rules for Prayer Chains 1. You may include as many names as you wish. 2. Should be sent as a blind copy so all the addresses do not appear on the recipient s Use discretion in not using full names or in describing situations because s are potentially public information. 49

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